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Social smokers at higher risk of cancer

Academic study of nearly 19,000 people conducted by Columbia University reveals social smoking to be 'disproportionately harmful'

Social smokers cancer risk columbia university study

Social smokers – those who smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes a day – are eight times more likely to die of lung cancer compared to non-smokers, and twice as likely to die of lung disease.

The 17-year-long study from Columbia University in New York revealed that the risk for those who smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes a day is not substantially lower than those who smoke 20 a day.

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The study of 18,730 people found that 0.6% of non-smokers died of lung cancer, while 4.7% of social smokers and 12.9% of 20-a-day smokers died from the illness.

Research head Dr Pallavi Balte said: “You might think that if you smoke a few cigarettes a day you are avoiding most of the risk. But our findings show social smoking is disproportionately harmful.”

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